MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22504, 23 February 1935, Page 2

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

CITY COUNCIL REPORTS The following City Council reports will be presented at the meeting okthe City Council on Wednesday night LIBRARY COMMITTEE. The Library Committee will report that the number of books issued for home reading was 25,074 volumes at the average rate of 1003 volumes per day. Books added, 581. Total stock of books to January 31, 1935, 53,957. RESERVES COMMITTEE. The Reserves Committee will recommend that the application from the Timaru Borough Council for the services of the superintendent of reserves for reporting on the lay-out of a scenic reserve recently acquired by that borough be acceded to, it being understood that out-of-pocket expenses will be paid by the Timaru Council. RELIEF WORKS. In connection with the representations by deputation of relief workers respecting the class of work provided for such workers at Logan Park and in the reserves generally, the committee will report that as a substantial number of men classed as fit for light labour only have been sent to the department, it has been found necessary to make special arrangements to provide suitable employment for such men. If the nature of such employment is objected to, the department’s only alternative is to reduce the relief staff, as there are no other works available or in prospect upon which this particular class of relief labour could be employed. The problem of providing “ light ” work for these men tends to increase as time goes on. GENERAL COMMITTEE. The General Committee will report that the schedule of hours allotted for swimming classes for the primary and secondary schools for the _ current year has been approved. The schedule provides for 34 classes from the primary schools, high schools, and colleges. RELIEF WORKERS’ REQUEST. With reference to the Representations made by a deputation from relief workers as to the provision of hot baths for the use of householders who do not possess such facilities at their homes, the committee will report that hot baths are available at the tepid baths, and it has been arranged that relief workers and their families may have the use of such at the specially reduced rate of 3d per individual. LICENSES AND PERMITS. One application for a driver’s license for a motor delivery van has been deferred, the applicant meantime to be provided with a permit which will be renewable monthly. , WORKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee will report that authority has been given for laying a tarred macadam footway, six feet, In width, on the south side of Main South road, from Sidey street to the end of the present kerb and channel. The estimated cost of the work is £B9, which will bo charged to the petrol tax vote. INSTRUCTIONS TO CITY ENGINEER. * The city engineer has been instructed to act in respect of the under-noted matters, via.:— Constructing an entrance for a motor garage in Felix street. Estimated cost £lO 10s, payable by the property owner. Constructing a mud tank, nine-inch pipe connection across the road, and thence open gutter through corporation property to deal with storm water from Braeview crescent. Estimated cost, £29. Providing access for a proposed motor garage in Hart street. Estimated cost, £22, payable by the property owner. WATER COMMITTEE. The city engineer has submitted a report on the progress of works in connection with the Deep Creek waterworks scheme for the last fortnightly period. In addition to the trenching contracts previously reported as having been completed, Mr W. Duncan, contract No. 920 (formerly held by Messrs M’Grath and party), Messrs R. Oliver and party, Messrs R. Matheson and party, Messrs A. Dow and party, and Mr J. H. M‘Kay have now completed their respective contracts. Corporation labour has been engaged on the tank at the end of section L, and on the erection of. cattle stops and mile p"sts. Mr J. Butler, contractor for pipe laying, has now completed the laying and jointing of 4959 feet of pipes and the concreting of the angles is well in hand. Nine hundred feet of pipe have also been laid and jointed in section M. A schedule, prepared by the city engineer, showing the quantities of pipes, special pipes and fittings which have been delivered and distributed up to and including February 14 is laid on the table. , Authority has been granted for the calling of tenders for the manufacture, supply and delivery of pipes and fittings from Stoney Knowe to Ross Creek (two and three-quarter miles), and also for the meters required.

DEEP CREEK RELIEF LABOUR. In connection with the representations submitted by deputation of relief workers as to the employment of relief labour on the Deep Creek works, and asking that the works be speeded up, the committee will report that at no time has any pronouncement been made by the council as to the method of carrying on the works, i.e., whether by day labour or by contract. In any case the total number of men employed would not be materially different, whether men' are employed under contract or by direct engagement by the City Council. With regard to the possible speeding up of the work, there are a good many matters of detail to consider in an undertaking of this size in dealing with any proposal for speeding up. The works are governed to a great extent by the stipulated contract rate of delivery by the contractor for the pipes. The works are at present proceeding at a very satisfactory rate of progress. The possibility of increasing the speed at which the pipes can be manufactured and laid, consistent with good workmanship, has already been under review and is still being investigated by the department. The loan poll was carried in August, 1933, and it was then estimated that the construction of the work would take up to three years. The progress made so far indicates that the estimated period of completion is likely to be shortened. WATER MAINS, ETC. Authority has been granted the city engineer to proceed with the following works out of the current stock and extension vote: — Renewal and extension work totalling 70J chains, as follows: —Josephine street, Edwin street, Alfred street, Pitzroy street, Rutherford street, John street. The net cost chargeable to stock and extensions vote, after allowing for value of materials ex stock and amount to be found out of the renewal fund is £833. Extensions in Bowler avenue, English avenue, Bernard street, Stansfield street, Crewe street, Springhill road and part of Lundie street —42 chains —at a net cost, after allowing for value of material ex stock, of £448. TRANSPORT. Authority has been granted for the purchase of one half-ton truck for providing transport for the department’s inspector and also for the transport of men and small materials for emergency and service work.

GAS COMMITTEE, The gas engineer’s summary of the carbonising results obtained at the works during the month of January shows a decrease in the output of gas, as compared with the corresponding month of last year, of 812,000 cubic feet, or 3.827 per cent. GAS EXAMINER’S REPORT. The report of the Government gas examiner on his tests of the city gas supply for the month of January indicates that the gas was in all respects in accordance with the required standard. TRAMWAYS COMMITTEE. The tramway manager’s statement of the traffic receipts for the past fortnightly period, as compared with the figures for the corresponding period ot last year, shows an increase in revenue for the period of £ll9. The total increase in revenue from April 1 to February 16 (46 weeks) is £2841, or 2.08 per cent. The revenue and expenditure statement for the 44 weeks ended January 30, as compared with the corresponding period of last year, discloses a net surplus of £4969, which is £694 less than for the corresponding 44 weeks of the previous year.